Coolinary New Orleans began as a way to coax residents into local eateries during the hottest part of summer. Fourteen years later, it’s blossomed into a cherished and much anticipated tradition.

Throughout the month of August, participating restaurants offer specially priced prix-fixe brunch, lunch and dinner menus. It’s a wonderful – and budget-friendly – opportunity for residents and tourists alike to fall in love all over again with the cuisine that helped make our city world famous.

Even if you’ve experienced Coolinary before, it’s worth the time checking out the 2017 list of participants. More than 80 restaurants throughout the city are taking part, including some of the biggest names – Arnaud’s, Commander’s Palace, Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse, Tujague’s, Gautreau’s and dozens more.

The Coolinary website also includes a complete list of summer events that also have become local favorites like Tales of the Cocktail, Satchmo Summerfest, White Linen Night and the Red Dress Run.

While all are definitely welcome to enjoy, Coolinary is unabashedly aimed at those who call New Orleans home, and rightly so. The best ambassadors for local tourism, after all, are often the folks who already live here.